Laurel man charged in copper wiring theft case
LAUREL — A 49-year-old Laurel man was charged with theft and other offenses after he stole copper wiring and disabled a railroad line, Delaware State Police said.
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Laurel man charged in copper wiring theft case
By LAUREL — A 49-year-old Laurel man was charged with theft and other offenses after he stole copper wiring and disabled a railroad line, Delaware State Police said.
Police said investigation began Monday into a copper wire theft earlier in July at the Carload Express railroad tracks in Laurel. Detectives discovered that an unknown suspect had cut and stolen copper wiring from a railroad safety system, causing over $10,000 worth of damage and leading to the railway being shut down for four days, police said.
Detectives determined that William Smallwood had sold the stolen copper wiring at a Seaford recycling center, police said. Mr. Smallwood matched the description of the suspect who was seen leaving the railroad tracks after the theft, police said.
Mr. Smallwood was taken into custody without incident at his residence Tuesday.
Mr. Smallwood was charged with criminal mischief over $5,000, theft under $1,500 (two counts), falsifying business records (two counts), stolen property (two counts), criminal mischief and third-degree criminal trespass (two counts). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 released on $8,400 unsecured bond.
